The Guns

The Calgary English Springer Spaniel Club is pleased to present the Gun Team for the 2010 Canadian National Spaniel Field Trial Championship.

ALEX STEWART / CAPTAIN - VERMILLION, ALBERTA

Growing up in Alberta gave me the opportunity to begin hunting at an early age. Western Canada has an abundance of water fowl and upland game. Through the years I hunted with pointers, labs, cockers and setters.

In 1981 I got my first Springer Spaniel and in 1986, my brother Wallace introduced me to field trials. At that time, Wallace also gave me Courtman's Nancy as a puppy. I was attending Palmar College of Chiropractic in Iowa at the time and was introduced to Dan Langhams. Every opportunity I had, I would travel three hours up to Dan's home. Dan helped me train Nancy, she was the first of eleven field trial champions. At Dan's place, I had the opportunity to shoot over several national champions.

I feel it is the highest honor to shoot a National Championship. Thank you for the privilege of shooting for your dogs.

-Alex Stewart

 

KEVIN STEWART - CALGARY, ALBERTA

Carolyn and I live in Bearspaw, outside of Calgary, along with 2 Springer Spaniels.

Since 1984 when my cousin Alex gave us a male puppy we have had the enjoyment of a Springer. The 1st field trial I attended was at the Edmonton National in 1987. In 1989 I started to shoot at trials and it has been my privilege to travel across Canada and the USA to gun.

I have met a lot of wonderful people at field trials that have become good friends. I am indeed honored to be a part of this 2010 National Gun Team. Thank you to everyone, have a great National.

-Kevin Stewart

 

EDGAR LAJAMBE - HANNER, ONTARIO

Born in a family of outdoor enthusiasts and growing up in Northern Ontario my father and uncles passed their hunting heritage on to me at a very tender age. Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock were always plentiful but sometimes very elusive and after many unproductive days in the field I was determined to get a trained hunting dog and therefore became involved with Springer Spaniels some 25 years ago and fell in love with the sport.

In the beginning my sole interest was to have a well trained hunting dog that would be a hunting companion and hopefully find and retrieve birds for me but little did I know that as time went on I fell in love with these little dogs that have so much drive and enthusiasm. Once I became more confident in my ability as a handler I started running my dog in minor stakes and when the first ribbons and placements came I was definitely hooked.

Over the years I have been actively involved in spaniel field trials in various capacities from running dogs, judging and gunning. I was introduced to gunning in 1990 at our local training sessions and upon gaining the confidence of various gun captains, I began shooting trials in 1993 throughout Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes and several in the US. Although I enjoyed working with dogs I soon realized that my greatest enjoyment of the game was shooting. Many mentors have assisted, educated and enlightened me over the years always taking the time to answer my questions and give me advice and I appreciate and thank them for their guidance.

The camaraderie and friendships I have built over the years with people from across Canada and the US will stay with me forever. I take this opportunity to thank the Calgary English Springer Spaniel Club for inviting me to Calgary, Alberta and especially to Alex & Kevin Stewart and Will Pick for the support and encouragement they provided at last year's Canadian National in Nova Scotia.

This will be my second Canadian National Championship and I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity of gunning this prestigious event over the finest of our breed. I look forward to shooting with this highly qualified gun team and will work hard to maintain the level of competence that is required make this event a success.

To all the participants, who have worked hard in proving their dog's ability, good luck in the 2010 National and may the wind be in your favour. All the best.

-Edgar Lajambe

ROGER THORNE - SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

I grew up in Watsonville, Ca. and began hunting with my Dad at age 12. Mostly doves and quail around home, and ducks in Los Banos, Ca.

In 1984 I participated in the Olympic Trap Trials, as they were nearby in Los Angeles, Ca. I placed 8th overall in US International Shooting Championships (Open Olympic Trap), but was 3rd civilian (5 of the first 8 were from US Army Marksmanship Unit).

In 1985 I won the California State International Automatic Trap Championship, and in 1987 I won United States All-Around Shotgun Championship in Reno, Nevada (high overall and won flyer and columbaire events).

Sometime later in 1999, I won the California State Champion in International Trap, and again in 2003, and 2004. Than in 2009 I won the California Cup Champion, veteran (flyers).

I starter English Springer Spaniel Trial Gunning in 1999 and have gunned about 80-90 English Springer Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel Trials in the last 11 years, in California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Texas, Wisconsin and Alberta. I was designated Gun Captain in 2008.

-Roger Thorne

WILL PICK - BROWNTOWN, WISCONSON

Home for my wife Wendy and I is a farm in southwestern Wisconsin where we live along with our four Springers. I am not always sure who is in charge, the dogs or us, but we usually manage to find a middle ground. My father who started me hunting and shooting when I was very young has always had Springers, so I grew up hunting with them and have been around them all of my life.

I make my living as a residential home builder. When not involved in work or dog games, I am an avid bowhunter and have hunted throughout the U.S. & Canada for many different species of wild game.

I got into shotgun sports when in the late 90's I was competing with my spaniels in hunting competitions and my shooting was holding my dogs back. I made a goal to improve and started taking lessons and competing in sporting clays competitions where I still travel and compete on a regular basis today.

I was introduced to trial gunning, when at a training session I was shooting for some trialer friends of mine, and my shooting caught the eye of Lea Ames. Lea was nice enough to stay after the training session and asked me if I would be interested in shooting trials. Lea introduced me to trial gunning and he along with Alex and Kevin Stewart, Waldo Prock and others too many to mention have coached me along to where I am today, running my dogs in trials and shooting wherever I am invited to shoot.

I have gunned one U.S. open National and this will be my third Canadian National. I will be shooting the U.S. open national in California this year as well. I am honored to be selected to shoot the 2010 Canadian National and have had the privilege of shooting with most of the members on the team, so I know that we will all do our best to help all of the handlers and their dogs to do well.

A sincere thanks for your vote of confidence and good luck to all.

-Will Pick

TIM EISMANN / CAPTAIN - EDMONTON, ALBERTA

My extremely patient and understanding wife Patti and I live just outside of Spruce Grove, Alberta with our springer spaniel, Rocky and two cats. With an acreage to maintain and some major and never ending renovations going on, it is hard to find the time to get away trialing every year, but somehow I manage, thus the extremely patient and understanding wife.

My first experience with springer spaniels was in 1979 when Eryl Dingman invited me to help out at a training session. After a summer of training I was asked to help gun the E.S.S.C. fall trial and did well enough that I became a permanent member of the gun team. After three or four years of shooting local trials under Eryl's watchful eye, I was asked to accompany him to Winnipeg, where my education continued with Merv Walker, Bert Bulter and Larry Butler. Soon after I was invited to Calgary to gun with, and learn from some of the best guns ever in Jack Porter, Ed Anderson, Ian Holmes and Bert Kutos. My hope is that I can pass on what I have learned from these men to the next generation of trial gunners.

I have lost track of how many trials and nationals I have gunned over the years, but I do remember some amazing dogs, meeting a lot of great people and making some lifelong friends.

It is always an honor to be asked to gun a trial, but with all the great guns available to not only be asked to gun, but also to co-captain the team, is unbelievable. Thank you to the C.E.S.S.C. for giving me this opportunity. I believe Alex and I have assembled a group of excellent gunners that will give all the handlers an equal opportunity to show their dogs abilities.

Best of luck to all the participants at the 2010 National.

Sincerely,

Tim Eismann

ARLEY ELLIOT - OKOTOKS, ALBERTA

Over the past 20 years I have participated in field trails as a handler, judge and gunner. In 2004, years of training and preparation combined with a talented and athletic dog and a little bit of luck allowed me to finish the Canadian National Championships with a red ribbon. The thrill of finishing that trial stays with me today. The following year, it was my privilege to be selected to judge the Canadian National Championship in Quebec. It is truly an honor to be a member of the 2010 Canadian National Gun Team. My best wishes go out to all the competitors in this event.

-Arley Elliot

 

DICKIE CORKUM - HATCHET LAKE, NOVA SCOTIA

It is an honour to have been asked by the Calgary Club to shoot your national. I have shot many Nationals and having been a Gun Captain for six I know first-hand just how important it is to provide great gunning. We must work as hard at being good guns as the competitors do training their dogs. The Guns must achieve and maintain the highest level of competence and safety which should be second to none.

My enthusiasm for our game and the people involved burns as strong now as it did when I was a teenager in the late 1970's. Perhaps the one thing that makes me so grateful is the fact that I have had the guiding hands of Dr. Dave McCurdy, Jamie Armour and John Mitchell. These three people have always made time for me and my hundreds of questions about Spaniels and shooting in the field. They are so giving of their time and wisdom that they inspire others and continue to help newcomers to our game.

Growing up in the city of Halifax, the capital of our Province, hockey and boxing were the two primary sports in which I competed, but my gun was never far from my thoughts. I would always look forward to going down to my grandparent's homestead on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. My uncles would always accommodate me by providing a boat and motor to go out to hunt seabirds. Often I would spend the money I earned by helping on fishing boats to buy shotgun shells.

In recent years, I have had the added great pleasure of sharing days in the field with my daughter Jillian. Together with my wonderful wife, Karen, and all our three daughters Marcia, Jillian and Angela, we would like to wish every competitor and spectator a great Canadian National. You will see old friends and make new ones as we come together for this National. I thank the Calgary Club for inviting me, and wish all involved a great 2010 National.

-Dickie Corkum

D.R. 'WOODY' WOODRUFF - MARENGO, ILLINOIS

I live in Marengo, Illinois with my wife Pam. I have a ten year old English Pointer and a three year old English Springer. For the past year my Springer, Tick, and I have been participating in field trials.

I have shot trap for 50 years, both in leagues and registered targets, and I have also shot American Skeet and International trap and skeet events. I really enjoy waterfowl and upland bird hunting.

I have had the privilege of gunning for Hall of Famer, Dan Langhans, for 20 years since his grounds are located 12 miles from Marengo. When I retired, 8 years ago, Leeman Ames recruited me to gun in Springer Field Trials. I have been involved in three National Opens and one Canadian National Trial.

I'm honored to have been chosen and look forward to shooting your 2010 Canadian National Field Trial. Thank you for giving me the opportunity and privilege and I wish each one of the handlers and dogs the best of luck.

-Woody Woodruff

PAT GILLIGAN - MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

Thank you for another opportunity to gun the Canadian National Field Trial. In the last 20 years I have been asked to have a front row seat at each trial by gunning. I have been able to watch wonderful hunting dogs work. I will do everything I can to do the best for each dog and handler.

-Pat Gilligan

Last updated on July 5, 2010